So here we are halfway into a new week and it’s still all systems go at Beach Craft Spirits HQ – as usual.

We had a fantastic time at Spirit of Speyside: Distilled held at the Elgin Town Hall over the weekend. It brought together all the whisky distillers from Speyside under one roof. It also featured craft beer and gin, along with some interesting food outlets. And of course, we mustn’t forget ourselves representing rum.

For our first event, it went really well and we spoke to loads of interesting and knowledgeable people – including members of the press, an MSP and the Lord Lieutenant of Moray.

What struck us more than anything though was how positive the other traders were to our plans. Everyone was keen to know more and there were so many offers of help and support particularly from the smaller craft sellers that it was quite overwhelming.

We will definitely be back to Distilled 2017 – if they’ll have us – and by then, we will be able to offer tastings and who knows, we may even be collaborating with some of the others we met at the event. Rum flavoured ice cream anyone?

Crowdfunder

Over the two days we were at Distilled we gathered feedback from the visitors and we have decided to move our crowdfunding campaign to a specific crowdfunding website. This has not been an easy decision to make as we always maintained that we did not want to pass the fees these platforms charge onto our investors.

However, if we are to reach our goal of opening the very first Rum distillery on the Moray Firth and only the second in Scotland, we have to do more to get the Beach Craft Spirits name out to a wider audience.

More for your money

The good news is that we have introduced more packages from £15 to £1000. The £15 will get the backer a plaque with their name displayed on the distillery wall, whilst the £1000 package contains 13 gifts including an exclusive 3-year-old aged rum in a driftwood presentation case. And those who have already invested – then of course those pledges will be honoured – with the extra goodies coming your way too.

These changes will ensure we reach our goal and means that investors will be getting more for their money.